The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-09-10
A JOLLY PEDDLER.

Archie.
81 wish the old letter hadn't got here
in time, )" said Fred, "and then we'd
have gone anyway.
$50 do |, said Archie.
The two boys lived in California, and
had come with their mother to visit
among host of unclcs and aunts and
cousins.
They were now at Uncle Ben's pleas
ant country home.
A little trip into the city, thirty miles
away, had Eeen arranged, to spend the
day with some boy cousins; but at the
very last moment letter had come,
saying that one of the cousins had
taken the measles, so it was quickly
decided that Fred and Archie could not
go.
They must spend the day alone, with
Frisk. the Scotch terrier, for Hiram,
the man, and Maria Ann, the kitchen
girl, had already driven away in the
spring wagon for day out
Aunt Harriet hurried and made ready
some things for the boys to eat before
they said good-by.
The barns We're searched for eggs,
the rabbits fed, the birds nests peeped
into, and toward noon the boys sat on
the piazza wondering what next to do
"Wouldn't a cared if l had caught
the measles" growled Fred.
''Measles aren't nice, though" said
Archie. Johnny Ray told me- You
get hot and headachy, and can't eat
good things"
"Ho, 1 know 1 couldr' declared
Fred.
Johnny said you'd think so, but
you just can't, no matter how you try.
And your eyes hurt, and you feel so
awfully bad you wouldn't get up to
look if dozen circus professions came
by. And then folks send you oranges
and bananas and things, and folks
coax you to eat, and it. no use"
81 wonder" said Fred, gloomily,
''why they take just that kind of a time
to tease boys to eat No one ever leases
us to eat"
'Mean, isn't it? No, we don't want
any thing
Archie raised his voice to speak to a
man who was quietly walking toward
them, with small valise in his hand.
"Stop" said Fred, in lower tone
ale doesn't look like the folks you
speak so to. He's old, you see"
Eyes, and nice-looking. The folks
are all gone away, SIR" said Archie,
politely, as the stranger came nearer
ave can't buy anything to-day, but
perhaps you'll sit down and rest
(Mamma always says that to agents
and pcddlers, even when they bother
her." he added in a whisper to Fred.)
"Thank you!' said the old man, tax
ing one of the piazza chairs, and looking
at the two bright faces with a very
pleasant smile.
"Have you got books?" asked Archie,
glad of any thing which might pass the
time.
"Not many" said the pcddler; "but
here is one which 1 think you would be
interested in looking att
He took out magazine, and began
showing them the pictures of mummies
which have lately been discovered in
Egypt. There were the photographed
faces, dried up and withered, of kings
who had died more than three thousand
years ago.
He read bits among the pictures,
contriving to interest the boys keenty
in showing how it had been proved by
scholars and travellers that one of these
faces was that of the very Pharaoh who
was cruel to the children of Israel
1t was wonderful thing to hear,
and the boys did not realize, until the
book was laid aside, that it was long
past dinner-time.
The peddler seemed not to think of
going and Archie strayed around the
corner of the house, and winked at
Fred to follow him. They whispered
together moment.
1--WE have to get our own dinner,
sir" said Archie, going back to the
visitor, "but we'd be glad to have you
stay"
The old man went to the wash-stand
in the back hall, exactly as if he knew
it was there. Aunt Harriet's good
things were brought out, and they
made hearty meal.
And what a merry time they had
when the peddler suggested that they
better wash the dishes, and how
strangely he seemed to know just
where the pantry and the cellar were.
After dinner the three went out for
walk in the grove.
"If we only had swing, nowH' said
Archie.
"Yes," said Fred, discontentedly.
"Unclc Ben promised us one, but he 5
Away so busy. And when | asked him
this morning if we couldn't make one
ourselves. he said no, it would't be safe
un'e-ss9mc older person attended toit.
"Do you think I'm old enough?"
asked the visitor.
eyes" said Archie, with q laugh,
''but don know where to find a rope,
and don't know the best place to put
a eyyiuwn